How much homes cost in Austin's most popular ZIP codes right now

How much homes cost in Austin's most popular ZIP codes right now

Austin may be the No. 1 place to live in the country, but how much does it actually costs to settle down here? Local real estate agent Laurie Loew of Give Realty dove into the numbers to see what homes are selling for in Austin's most popular ZIP codes.

Based on the Austin Board of Realtors sales report from the fourth quarter of 2016, Loew created a map detailing the median price of single-family homes by ZIP.

"I’m not sure where U.S. News & World Report came up with the median Austin home price of just over $262,000," says Loew. "There are not many areas that fall into that price point, especially in Travis County!"

According to Trulia, the median cost of a starter home in Austin is $182,867. But you will be hard-pressed to find a deal like that in Austin's most desirable ZIPs.

In 78701 (downtown), condos go for $456,500, while a home will set you back $1,415,000. In nearby Tarrytown (78703), you will dish out $435,000 for a condo or $962,500 for a home. South Austin's funky 78704 has condos for $366,000, while homes go for $625,000.

These staggering costs continue as you head north. The median cost for a home is $446,250 in Allandale/Crestview (78757), $593,000 in Rosedale/Shoal Creek (78756), and $649,000 in 78731.

Compared to other central neighborhoods, East Austin is still relatively affordable. In 78702, condos cost $370,000 and houses are slightly more expensive, at $390,000. In fact, the only Central Austin region that provides an "affordable" price tag — closer to the magical $262,000 — is the east side. Median home prices in other East Austin areas run from $265,450 in 78741 (East Riverside) to $294,500 in 78721 (east of 183).

The trend continues the farther you get from downtown. Most median home prices in far North and Northeast Austin are under the $300,000 mark; Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Parmer, and Wells Branch offer affordable housing options too.

The same goes for the South Central and Southeast 'hoods. Loew found that most median prices are below $250,000 — you might even find one for under $200,000.

Northwest Austin, however, is more complicated, with an interesting mix of more affordable ZIP codes in Leander ($269,900), Lago Vista ($277,500), and Cedar Park ($280,000) interspersed with neighborhoods like Steiner Ranch, Lakeway, Balcones, and Spicewood/Great Hills, where homes approach the half-million mark.

Southwest Austin is pretty expensive too. The median price in Rollingwood/Bee Cave (78746) is $1 million. Homes in most far Southwest neighborhoods — including Driftwood, Dripping Springs, and Circle C — are in the $400,000-$600,000 range.